I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Richards is still hurt.
He's certainly been much less aggressive since his injury. It's like he's playing with a fear he didn't have before. It's disheartening. I was really excited when he was lighting it up, and even when he wasn't it was like he would do everything he could to make something out of nothing.
Now, it seems like Doughty rubbed off on him and he messes up a bunch and gets an occasional good play.
Considering it's apparently become totally acceptable that he disappears for 30 games in the middle of every season, **** yes I would trade him if the right opportunity came along, and I used to adore the kid. He should have figured this out by now, he's getting paid to play like he's figured it out, and he hasn't.
So when do the excuses stop? It's getting to a point where it doesn't matter how hard guys like Lewis work there is no results. Until there are changes made excuses will continue like back to back games or the other team is great defensively or ram into a hot goalie blah blah blah. Worst scoring team in the league and no signs of improvement.
But ok let's give the lack of offense a pass because they are tired.
Or maybe let's give the lack of offense a pass because this team hasn't lost all that much in the past month plus?
We were bound to lose two games in a row eventually. It happens to everyone. That it took this long to do so is pretty ridiculous.
I love kopi but at 6.9 million he needs to be elite. He is not. I wouldn't trade him for prospects or anything but definately should not be untouchable.
I love kopi but at 6.9 million he needs to be elite. He is not. I wouldn't trade him for prospects or anything but definately should not be untouchable.
Players Kopi has more points than (playing on the worst offensive team in the league):
Ilya Kovalchuk
Patrick Kane
Zach Parise
Joe Thornton
Marian Gaborik
Jarome Iginla
Vincent Lecavalier
Corey Perry
Alex Ovechkin
1st of all Murray destroyed players like Kopitar, Brown, Johnson etc for years in their most important time of their career. When they have to pick up the NHL basics to succeed.
2nd As loopsided as Murrays system was as loopsided was Lombardis way to manage the club.
Drafting grit and grit and more grit and trade for grit.
Talent and skill as completely ignored.
Now we are in the wonderfull position to trade for talent
3rd the whole roster is unbalanced thanks to Mr. Lombardi
I see it like that:
to present a roster like that after 5 years would lead a GM fired instantly at a hockey interested owner's club.
So the mix from removed creativity plus an unba;anced roster presents us games like that.
I was hoping to get Murray hockey out of players head by march.
But as more games i watch as more i doubt that
Players Kopi has more points than (playing on the worst offensive team in the league):
Ilya Kovalchuk
Patrick Kane
Zach Parise
Joe Thornton
Marian Gaborik
Jarome Iginla
Vincent Lecavalier
Corey Perry
Alex Ovechkin
And he plays defense...
THIS x100! He may be part of the problem, but not THE problem.
I wouldn't trade him for spare parts. But really, how untouchable can the guy actually be now?
These guys don't play with any desperation. They know they get to come to work no matter what.
Kings have scored 115 goals, Kopitar has 46 points. That means that Kopitar has offensively contributed (via goals or assists) on exactly 40% of the Kings scoring.
The NHL top point producers percantage on their team production:
Malkin: 37%
Giroux: 35%
Stamkos: 40%
H. Sedin: 32%
Tavares: 42%
Hossa: 31%
Datsyuk: 32%
Toews: 31%
Kopitar ain't no saviour but still a damn fine percantage...
This Murray/Sutter era hockey stinks.
The fact that kopi is 5 points under a ppg pace is unreal when you factor in who he has on his line. Its very simple for you guys, you are going to have to part with some of your great defensive depth to upgrade at winger. But if you guys dont get some legit wingers its going to be more of the same.
Kings have scored 115 goals, Kopitar has 46 points. That means that Kopitar has offensively contributed (via goals or assists) on exactly 40% of the Kings scoring.
The NHL top point producers percantage on their team production:
Malkin: 37%
Giroux: 35%
Stamkos: 40%
H. Sedin: 32%
Tavares: 42%
Hossa: 31%
Datsyuk: 32%
Toews: 31%
Kopitar ain't no saviour but still a damn fine percantage...
This Murray/Sutter era hockey stinks.
The Kings have actually lost as many as they've won under Sutter.
Looking at 11-4-6 as being a losing record is pessimism at its finest. I'm not pretending that I'm not disappointed with losing but I saw this team get blown out regularly while missing the playoffs for seven straight years so seeing them not lose a game by more than two goals for over a month and a half is pretty solid to me. This team lost five straight games in December. Expecting them to suddenly shift from that into a powerhouse is ridiculous. The fact that we're even competing for a playoff spot considering how poorly this team played for most of the season is a miracle.
